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Petroleum, Gas and Chemical Process Operators  (NOC 9232)
Southern Region
Description |  Titles |  Duties |   Related Occupations

Petroleum, gas and chemical process operators monitor and operate petroleum, petrochemical and chemical plants and monitor, adjust and maintain processing units and equipment in these plants. They are employed by petroleum and natural gas processing, pipeline and petrochemical companies, industrial, agricultural and specialty chemical and pharmaceutical companies.

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Petroleum, gas and chemical process operators perform some or all of the following duties:
  • Operate electronic or computerized control panel from a central control room to monitor and optimize physical and chemical processes for several processing units
  • Control process start-up, shut-down and troubleshooting
  • Monitor outside process equipment
  • Adjust equipment, valves, pumps and controls and process equipment
  • Authorize or co-sign maintenance work orders
  • Shut down, isolate and prepare process units or production equipment for maintenance
  • Sample products, perform tests, record data, carry out statistical process control on process operations, and write production logs
  • Develop operator procedures for normal operation, start-up or shut-down of unit
  • Participate in safety audits and programs and provide emergency response when required
  • Ensure adherence to safety and environmental regulations
  • May rotate between different processing units during shift cycles
  • May work in a team with shared supervisory responsibilities and participate in training other workers
  • May be cross-trained in a skilled trade and work in the trade during shift cycles.
Included Cities in Region | Service Canada Offices

Bridgewater, Digby, Lunenburg, Shelburne, Yarmouth

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View a list of Service Canada offices in this area.

Education & Job Requirements for Petroleum, Gas and Chemical Process Operators in Southern Region

Education and job requirements can vary by region. Workers in regulated occupations require a licence to work legally. Workers in non-regulated occupations do not require a licence, but employers may have other certification requirements.

Skills Requirements

There are often specific abilities, aptitudes and knowledge that are prerequisites to obtain employment in an occupation.

Most employers who advertise are looking for workers who have the following experience and skills:

Experience:
3-5 years

Specific Skills:
Control process start-up, shut-down and troubleshooting. Adjust equipment, valves, pumps and controls and process equipment. Sample products, perform tests and record data.

Additional Skills:
Write production logs. Participate in safety audits and programs.

Essential Skills:
Oral communication, working with others, computer use, problem solving, job task planning and organizing, writing, reading text, document use, finding information, critical thinking, decision making, continuous learning, numeracy and significant use of memory.

[Source: Labour Market Information - HRSDC ]

List of Associations

AssociationsLink opens in a new window are organizations that may provide news to its members about networking events, professional development and other common issues for people working in the same industry.

[ Source: Labour Market Information - HRSDC ]

CanLearn Searches

  • Programs

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  • CEGEPs, Colleges and Universities

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  • Scholarships

    Information on scholarships, bursaries, grants, and other forms of financial assistance.

[ Source: CanLearn - HRSDC ]
Information for Newcomers

Getting your language skills assessed

If you do not know what your English or French language level is, visit one of the Language Assessment Centres across Canada. They will assess your language level and direct you to the appropriate language training program.

[ Source: Citizenship and Immigration Canada ]
Please consult the Nova Scotia and Canada tabs for more useful information related to education and job requirements.